Whyt wanted to ask more questions but refrained from doing so. He had a feeling that even if he did then it would be met with silence.

“So, going back to my previous question, are you willing to be friends with me?”

Ethel had an expectant look on her face. There was nothing to worry about if she wanted to bring the boy with her. After the competition, there would be graduation. As for the competition…

Remembering the deal she had made with Count Vankef, Ethel could only sigh. Her promise to the deceased Hyrel remained unfulfilled.

Hyrel was only a boy of 15 years when he died of the plague. There was only one brief encounter between them, but that was enough for her to change the way she looked at life.

When she had resigned herself to being a slave worked to death by the Count, believing that she could amount to nothing more than a moneymaker for the rich, she had been privileged to meet the young Hyrel dressed in commoner’s clothing in the alleyway next to the bar she used to work at.

Whyt disregarded the melancholic look in Ethel’s eyes and made up his mind. She was right, he would rather take the unknown path with her than be stuck here slaving away and doing the dirty work for old men.

“Yes.”

His voice was hoarse and quite pitiful, but a wave of relief made its way to Ethel.

“Great! Then, come with me.” Ethel held his hand and made their way to the streets. Along the way, no one paid any heed to them as they navigated avenues and districts.

Then they stopped in front of a shelter of some sort. The house was neither dilapidated nor was it extravagant. It was a simple three story house with a few plants at the front.

The street they were in was decent. A lot of commoners roamed about and the atmosphere was solemn. Despite this, there was an eeriness of some sort that Whyt couldn’t shake off.

Like they were being watched.

Whyt shook his head and looked up at Ethel.

“You might be wondering why we’re here.” She lightly knocked at the door. “This is an orphanage I am investing my money in.”

Orphanages weren't prevalent in the continent, much less the Empire. Officially, only the shelters recognized by the Church could receive proper funding, but even then money was insufficient.

Ethel found out about it in her third year at Agora. A blacksmith she was receiving help from was from one of the shelters in the southwest. That was when she started looking into orphanages.

In her fourth year, she took aside the money she didn’t need and invested a fixed amount of her allowance and had someone transfer the money to the orphanage. Although she regularly exchanged letters with the Head of the orphanage, this would be the first time they would meet.

The door opened and a few children were placed in view.

Whyt found this uncomfortable and stood behind Ethel. The children looked at them with curious eyes, until one found it in themselves to speak up. “Uhm… Who are you?”

Ethel crouched down and smiled. The little girl was adorable and her doe eyes reminded her of Maria. “My name is Ethel, is Valentina around?”

The girl’s eyes widened and nodded.

“Then, will you call her for me?” The little girl nodded again before scampering away.

The other children looked hesitant but Ethel continued to smile. Ethel could tell that although these kids were apprehensive, it would be best to get acquainted with the head first, to establish a good connection with the kids.

A moment later, a middle-aged woman dressed in plain clothes ran up to them. Her droopy eyes and overall appearance looked intimidating but it could not hide the look of excitement on her face.

The moment she laid her eyes on Ethel, she dropped to the floor and said, “My lady, I’ve been waiting for you for so long! I wanted to give my thanks to you as soon as I received news of your arrival to the capital. I-”

“Besides that, please get up first. What will the kids think of me when you’re being too respectful like this.”

Ethel felt embarrassed when she witnessed the woman kowtowing to her. The kids were confused but seeing their nanny being respectful, a hint of curiosity flashed in their eyes.

Valentina teared up, she was happy to see the benefactor who saved them from death’s door. Just then, the little girl came back and tugged on Ethel’s pants.

“Nanny said that you saved us, is that true?” the little girl asked.

Ethel smiled and shook her head. “It is true that I helped you guys, but it was all thanks to your nanny that you could eat good food and live a good life. So be sure to give her your thanks, okay?”

The little girl looked no more than eight and yet she was very intelligent. Ethel hoped that the little girl could grow up living the life she wished. She didn’t regret investing her money in this orphanage. Not one bit.

“But the miss is-!”

Ethel smiled and interjected, “Valentina, it’s okay. You’re scaring the children.”

Valentina was taken aback and looked at the children who gazed at her with a hint of fear. They had never seen their nanny acting like that, so the young children got scared of her freaking out.

“I- I’m sorry, children.” The nanny crouched down and hugged them assuringly. “Nanny was just surprised that our benefactor suddenly arrived. Be sure to thank her, alright?”

“Really, there’s no need to-”

But before she could finish her sentence, Whyt stopped her and shook his head. “You should accept their thanks. If I were in their position, I would do the same.”

Seeing Whyt get a little more comfortable with her, Ethel nodded. In any case, it did look rude if she wouldn’t even accept the gratitude of these young children.

“Well, okay.” Ethel coughed and looked a little embarrassed.

The children looked at each other and bowed at Ethel. “Thank you miss!”

“You’re welcome.”

A moment later, Valentina ushered the children to play in the backyard and led the two guests to the dining table. Unlike the house of nobles, there was no official sitting room for guests.

Valentina prepared a simple pot of tea and a few biscuits before settling down in front of them.